It’s no secret that Night City is home to all sorts of unsavory individuals. It’s a deprived city in the Cyberpunk universe and sees a bleak future that is overrun with corporations, corruption, and intense gang violence that rages across the different districts. The city evolved by the time Cyberpunk 2077 was released, and the inhabitants that can be found are rather interesting.

CD Projekt Red has done a great job in creating larger-than-life characters, and ones that even after they leave V’s lifepath, remain entirely memorable for their interesting quirks and stories. Many NPCs that can be found throughout Night City in Cyberpunk 2077 deserve an eyebrow-raising mention.

Updated on October 20, 2023, by Jake Fillery: Night City is filled with some interesting and compelling characters. Cyberpunk 2077 does a great job of keeping players interested in the characters entwined in V’s story in some way or another. Whether it’s a quick conversation, a brief mention, or a lasting impact. These Cyberpunk 2077 characters forever remain interesting, and their personalities and actions make them defining characters with so much to offer. With the expansion of Phantom Liberty, Night City only grows in intrigue. Not only does Phantom Liberty add some new and interesting characters for players to interact with, but Update 2.0 brings players new mysteries, such as Polyhistor and the Biotechnica Protein Farms, which has warped FF:06:B5 in intrigue.

15 Solomon Reed

One of the most compelling characters in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, Solomon Reed provides players with a vitally important look into blinding loyalties. Even after Solomon Reed was dead and buried, killed by his own government, he still waited day after day for 7 years for a phone call to return to the action to protect and serve, to always fulfill that oath that he made as an FIA agent for the NUSA.

What makes Solomon Reed so interesting is that actually lives in Night City. This isn’t a character that just shows up, they can actually find him working as a bouncer at Electric Orgasm. The fact that players meet this character with his gun pressed to their ribs leaves a lasting impression, and Reed’s promise to save V and Songbird leaves much suspicion on his character.

14 Militech Canto Mk.6

Whilst the Militech Canto Mk.6 is less of an NPC and more of an AI, it’s certainly compelling enough to be worth mentioning. The Militech Canto Mk.6 is a Rouge AI from beyond the Blackwall and one that becomes a vital part of V’s arsenal if they choose to help Reed in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. This AI can be found in the Militech Canto Mk.6 Cyberware, or the Erebus Power Submachine Gun.

When players use this weapon, not only will enemies explode in a terrifying death that has their Cyberware melt from within, but the AI will talk to V and often make comments about the life that it has just exterminated. V wielding the Blackwall is extremely dangerous, and perhaps it's best to hide this AI from NetWatch.

13 Polyhistor

With Update 2.0, new locations were uncovered in Cyberpunk 2077, and a new mystery began to unfold at Biotechnica Protein Farms. This location holds multiple servers inside, and a laptop that contains several emails and messages directed to an illusive Polyhistor character. Players have basked in the mystery and uncovered the puzzles that make for a truly exciting and confusing puzzle that the community over at Reddit’s r/FF06B5 worked tirelessly to solve.

Players do not interact with polyhistor directly, nor do they have a face-to-face conversation with the character. However, Polyhistor does save V from a Relic malfunction. Who, or what Polyhistor is, remains a mystery, and their ambitions for Night City may see a farewell for now, but the story is certainly not over.

12 Mr. Hands

Mr. Hands received a character overhaul with Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. This character’s redesign saw not only a new actor but a new face and personality. Mr. Hands is far more elusive and patient and seems to have more connections in and out of Night City than what was first thought. Mr. Hands interferes with politics within Dogtown and internationally, and he seems to know far too much about V than V is comfortable with.

Mr. Hands is vitally interesting, especially when players get to meet this elusive Fixer for the first time, face-to-face. Mr. Hands develops a good working relationship with V through Phantom Liberty, and the fact that he has eyes everywhere truly makes him an interesting piece of the ever-unfolding puzzle of Night City, and V’s life.

11 Herold

Herold is a vendor that can be found in the EBM Petrochem Stadium within Dogtown. He’s one of the more interesting characters that can be found in the black market district of Dogtown, for more than a few reasons. Not only does Herold sell some interesting weapons, such as missed Iconic weapons, begging the question of how Herold managed to get his hands on such rare weaponry that only V should have access to, but there lies intrigue in his Cyberware.

Herold is basically missing his face, and most of his limbs, and it seems that he has more chrome than perhaps even Adam Smasher. Herold has a flamethrower attachment on his arm, and when V questions how Herold ended up with all this chrome, especially in the face area, Herold just jokes around with illusive responses, providing greater mystery to the origins of Herold, and how he isn’t a Cyberpsycho yet.

10 Joshua Stephenson

When V picks up a gig to play hitman, things quickly go awry, and they find themselves conversing in a police vehicle with the very man they were hired to kill. Joshua Stephenson is that man, someone that was convicted of many murders and robberies, but also a man who despite the harshness of Night City, has found God.

What results, is an entire complex and broken individual, who seeks to sacrifice his life the same way that Jesus Christ did to create a studio-funded braindance recording that could be witnessed by millions. Joshua wants to do anything to seek forgiveness for his crimes after becoming devoted to God, even if that’s at his life’s sacrifice and exploitation from corporations.

9 Bes Isis

It’s harder to get more famous and interesting than the former keyboardist for one of the most legendary bands in Cyberpunk, Samurai. Bes Isis ended her music career to become an investigative journalist, and while working with Network News 54, she uncovered many interesting mysteries around Night City.

Bes Isis dedicates herself to covering difficult events, even with such a famous career behind her. It shows that she puts integrity above all, and isn’t afraid to get herself in the mud against Maelstrom, and corporations that might stop her investigative work.

8 Zen Master

Night City certainly lacks peacefulness. Zen is hard to come by, as is a balanced center and inner peace. Even the monks that explore Night City are tormented for their resentment of chrome. However, there’s one monk in particular that remains rather interesting to V, as this monk will help guide V through meditative braindance, and then disappear without a trace.

Zen Master can be found in many different locations in Night City, all with a unique meditation to be had, with him as a guide. He’s a true mystery, where he goes, and what he wants, is completely unknown, but it certainly makes V feel good about themselves.

7 Lizzy Wizzy

With the professional name of Lizzy Wizzy, this musical artist excels as one of Night City’s top celebrities. She has award-winning albums and appearances in other performative arts. What makes Lizzy Wizzy most peculiar, is her full-body modifications, in which she has replaced herself entirely with chrome. Doing so is no cheap or mentally easy task, as it’s a surefire way to catch cyberpsychosis.

V can receive a mission from Lizzy Wizzy, and investigate her boyfriend. Lizzy Wizzy is a dangerous character, as she seems to lack any sympathy, and has blank spots in her memory. As a key celebrity in Night City, one can only question where Lizzy’s story will go next, with cyberpsychosis surely on the rise in her psyche.

6 Brendan, The Sentient S.C.S.M.

Outside of Megabuilding H8 in Japantown, players will find a rather odd-looking Spontaneous Craving Satisfaction Machine. This “S.C.S.M.” calls out to V and asks for help in moving the trash that has been dumped in front of him, blocking his view of the city and potential customers. What ensues, is a unique interaction with a vending machine, a conversation with sentient AI.

Brendan wants to talk to people and finds the deepest parts of their lives. He’s a great conversationalist and acts almost like a therapist. However, V can be very creeped out by Brendan, when the S.C.S.M. tells V that he knows that they are dying.

5 River Ward

Corruption is everywhere in Night City. Whether that’s in the highest politician or even the police department. The Night City Police Department is always overwhelmed with criminal activity from the many different gangs in Cyberpunk 2077. Some crimes they don’t even investigate, due to their lack of manpower or care. However, River Ward is a shining example of what the NCPD used to stand for.

River Ward is a detective for the NCPD and prides himself on his morality. River will always do what’s right for the city, and his family, and seeks truth and justice at every turn. River faces off against gangs, and other sick individuals, in the hopes that one day Night City will become a better place.

4 Max Jones

Corporations tend to have a few ways to silence journalists that begin researching a hit piece on them. Either they pay them off, or they take them out of the game for good with a contracted killer. Everyone knows this, which is why there aren’t many real journalists left in Night City. That is, apart from Max Jones.

There are few journalists in Night City like Max Jones, a man who is willing to risk his own life for the latest scoop, or a story that could blow the lid on a corporate scandal. His lack of fear makes him a threat to corporations, and they want his head for it.

3 Delamain’s Children

The famed taxi company known as the Delamain Corporation is run by the AI, Delamain. As the story progresses, V finds themselves a victim of one of Delamain’s taxis, which crudely crashes into them. V discovers that Delamain’s AI-driven cabs are wreaking havoc over Night City, with what Delamain can only assume is a virus. However, Johnny Silverhand believes that a higher force is at play, and Delamain’s malfunctions could be the first signs of sentient AI.

There are many great AI characters from Delamain’s children, even if they are all a tad murderous and creepy. However, a debate rages on what life is worth saving more: Delamain or his rogue AI children. It leads to interesting philosophy, and perhaps a few laughs.

2 Ozob Bozo

As any sane person would, Ozob Bozo had his nose ripped off with a pair of pliers in a fight with his brother, and decided to replace it with an active grenade, due to it fitting his style. Ozob seems unaware that he looks like a clown, literally. Ozob is a mercenary in Night City and a distinct one due to his bizarre appearance and personality.

Throughout the game, players can find Ozob and become somewhat of a friend to the strange character. However, they can get into a friendly fistfight with Ozob, just be sure not to punch him in the nose one too many times, as Ozob will become fireworks.

1 Garry, The Prophet

When walking through Urmland Street in Kabuki, players will find a man wearing a garbage bag as his attire. However, this is not the most interesting part about Garry, who spouts grand conspiracy theories that are often bizarre, but with a sprinkle of truth. Garry can ask for donations, to stop the lizard men from Alpha Centauri and Arasaka.

When players keep coming back to listen to Garry’s rambles, they will find themselves in a conspiracy themselves, in which V will steal a data chip, and return to find Garry abducted and missing. What’s even more peculiar about this open-ending, is the fact that Garry has the same signet ring that many powerful figureheads in the game wear.